Darby Borough’s leading voice on civil rights, Ethel Smiley, will be honored today by having a street named after her, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Ethel Glenn Smiley will be recognized in a street naming ceremony 2 PM today at the corner of Wymcombe Avenue and Mulberry Street, near where she lived.

Smiley was a member of the Darby area branch of the NAACP as well as a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in Darby.

The building provided shelter to slaves on their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Smiley worked on equality issues during the civil rights era, even sitting beside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

She was the lead voice in the Darby community for equality and change, teaching Black history and promoting education for the children in the borough. 

 “A true Pioneer for Civil rights and equality,” said Alfred Robinson, a Darby councilman. “Darby Borough was blessed to have her as a neighbor, friend, and activist for all, especially the African American community.”

Smiley died in September 2006 at 96. She is buried in Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Broomall.

Read more about Ethel Glenn Smiley and her work on issues of equality at the Daily Times.